Lateral placement and completion design for improved well performance of unconventional reservoirs

Abstract

A method is performed for defining optimal landing location(s) of horizontal wells for hydraulic fracturing stimulation, for improved well performance of unconventional reservoirs. The method includes evaluating one or more planes of weakness, pinch-out points, or thin rock layering in the reservoir that may impede hydraulic fracture growth or may close fractured sections during production. The method can include conducting detailed analysis on core and open hole logs, and defining the presence, density, orientation, spacing, and mechanical properties of various thin interfaces and barriers in the rock mass. The method can include classifying the barriers or thin interfaces based on their effect on hydraulic fracture growth or fracture connectivity, and on uncertainty of their effect.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for evaluating a well, comprising:
 mapping a plurality of thin interfaces in a formation; 
 classifying each of the plurality of thin interfaces based on their effect on hydraulic fracture growth; 
 determining an average hydrocarbon filled porosity over a fixed compartmentation height as a function of depth within the formation; 
 determining an average number of thin interfaces over the compartmentation height as a function of depth within the formation; 
 selecting a landing location having an averaged hydrocarbon filled porosity above a set lower limit and a minimum averaged number of thin interfaces; 
 predicting hydraulic fracture growth by simulating a well that is landed and completed at the selected landing location; and 
 evaluating a production potential of the well by analyzing a connected surface area formed by the hydraulic fractures. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of thin interfaces are mapped by integrating a conducting a geologic core study and core logging measurements conducted on a core sample. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  wherein an open hole log is integrated with the geologic core study and the core logging measurements. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising integrating an open hole log with the average hydrocarbon filled porosity and average number of thin interfaces. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , further comprising integrating the mapping of thin interfaces with the open hole log, the average hydrocarbon filled porosity, and the average number of thin interfaces. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising assigning a confidence level to each thin interface.